Safety device for pressurized-fluid dispensing install ations



March 2, 1965 BARD 3,171,432

SAFETY DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED-FLUID DISPENSING INSTALLATIONS Filed Aprilv4, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. BARD March 2, 1965 SAFETY DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED-FLUID DISPENSING INSTALLATIONS Filed April 4, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig:2

INVENTOR: ALPHONSE BARD ATTORNEY March 2, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4. 1961 United States Patent 3 171 432 SAFETY DEVICE Fbn lRESSURliZED-FLUID DISPENSING INSTALLATIONS Alphonse Bard, Boulogne-sur-Seine, France, assignor to Societe du Carburateur Zenith, Lyon, France, a company of France Filed Apr. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 100,759 Claims priority, appliscation France, Apr. 7, 1960,

3,693 7 Claims. 01. 137-460) a .common kind. of pressure fluid dispensing device in which a supply pipe is controlled by a main dispensing valve which is actuated by servo-control means operated by pressure fluid tapped from the supply pipe and responsive to a pilot valve fitted in a pilot conduit interconnecting the supply pipe and the servo-control means, the arrangement being such that the main dispensing valve 'closes upon closure of the pilot valve by corresponding action on a pilot valve control member.

According to the present invention, such a pressure fluid dispensing device is provided with a safety system which comprises (1) a flow velocity sensing member positioned within the supply pipe and responsive to the dynamic pressure exerted thereon by the flowing fluid, the sensing member, which is mechanically independent from the said main dispensing valve and servo-control means, being movable from a normal rest position to an emergency safety position whenever the flow velocity exceeds a predetermined value, (11) an obturator under the control of the sensing member and positioned in the pilot conduit in series with the pilot valve, the obturator which is normally in its open position being moved to its closed position upon displacement of the sensing member to the emergency safety position and thus closing the main dispensing valve, and (III) obturator control means distinct from the said pilot valve control member, for resetting the said obturator to normal open position.

In an embodiment of the invention, a flow-arresting member is controlled by a hydraulic servo-control system triggered by a pilot valve in the circulation system of the driving fluid (liquid or gas) of the servo-control system and an obturator which is likewise arranged in the circulation system is controlled by a means for detecting a sudden increase in the flow velocity from the fluid dispenser so as to trigger the servo-control system to close the flow-arresting member. I

The flow velocity sensing member may consist of a moving arm which is immersed in the fluid flowing downstream of the dispensing valve and which is subjected, on the one hand, to the action of the stream and, on the other, to the action of an opposing force supplied by a spring, for example. The tension in this spring is such that its opposing force remains preponderant as long as 'the stream of fluid does not exceed a given velocity, but

as soon as that velocity is exceeded the force exerted by the flow on the arm in turn becomes preponderant and causes the latter to tilt over and close the obturator which is connected thereto. In order to avoid any flutter, a

tumbler type of arrangement is used with the spring,

whereby the arm is caused to place itself in either of two 3,171,432 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 "ice Dispensers equipped with such a safety device are suitable, notably, for aircraft refueling systems, and more particularly for underground conduits leading to aircraft parking aprons.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a schematic sectional view of a dispensing device equipped with a safety system executed in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional longitudinal view of a practical assemblage of the various component parts of such dispensing device.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional longitudinal view on a larger scale, in a plane at an angle to the plane of FIGURE 2, showing details of the safety device.

FIGURES 4 and 5 are fragmentary schematic sectional views along the lines IV-IV and VV, respectively, of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of arrow a of said figure.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2, the dispensing device shown therein by way of example comprises a source 1 of fluid under pressure, say an underground line for supplying liquid fuel for aircraft, to which is connected a draw-off pipe 2 equipped with a main or dispensing valve 3 biased into closed position by a spring 4.

The valve 3 is attached to a piston 5 by a rod 6, the diameter of this piston being greater than that of the valve. The piston slides in a cylinder 7 which it divides into two chambers 8 and 9. The upper chamber 8 communicates with the draw-off pipe 2. through a passageway 10 having a calibrated diaphragm or constriction 11 therein, while the lower chamber 9 communicates, via one or more orifices 12, with an outlet duct 13.

When in the idle position (closed), the valve 3 isolates the outlet duct 13 from the fluid supply 1, and this outlet duct leads up to an external ground-level connection in the form of a union 29 (see FIGURE 2) similar to a firehydrant, to which may be tightly fixed a length of flexible hose (not shown).

When the system is not in use, the outlet orifice 3%) is sealingly closed by a sliding obturator 31 in response to the force exerted by a spring 32. When the system is to be used, the end of the flexible hose is connected to the union 29, this causing the obturator 31 to be thrust inwardly against the force of spring 32, thereby opening up the outlet of the duct 13.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the chamber 8 above the piston 5 is in communication with the outlet duct 13 via a pilot-conduit 14 provided with a control or pilot valve 15.

In the practical assemblage shown in FIGURE 2, the valve 15 consists of a valve-head which is fixed to a slider 33 and biased into its closed position by a spring 34.

.Opening of the valve-head 15 is effected by a control system represented in highly diagrammatic fashion by a pushrod 35 and suitable linkage 36, the latter being remotecontrollable by an appropriate transmission system.

The pilot-conduit 14 is subdivided into a section 14a leading into an arcuate groove 14b which, as indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 2, extends over a semi-circle and from which leads off a second section terminating at the outlet duct 13. The junctions of sections 14a and 140 with groove 14b are at or near the ends of the latter.

Inside the duct 13 is mounted, in accordance with the present invention, a flow velocity sensing member illustrated as a rocking flap or arm A which is joined, at B, to an extension C. Motion of this arm is transmitted, by a suitable connection which is illustrated diagrammatically by the chain-dotted line D in FIGURE 1, to an obturator E placed in the pilot-conduit 14, in series with the pilot valve 15.

This assembly is part of the safety device forming the subject matter of the present invention, an embodiment of which is shown in detail and on a larger scale in FIG- URES 3 through 6.

In the particular example illustrated in FIGURES 3-6, the arm A and the obturator Eare fixed in proximity 'to each other on a'com'rnon shaft D supported in bearings 'FF and retained by an abutment G, the obturator E mediate the points of junction of the sections 14a and 140. 'T he shaft D is in addition subjected to the pull of a spring H tensioned between the end of a crank I integral with the shaftand a nut J 'throughwhich is threaded a screw K. 'Thus the assembly which limits movements of shaft D and the sensing member and obturator fixed thereon is designed on the tumbler principle, similar. to electric toggle switches, namely with only two stable positions.- In this case, these two positions are determined by the abutment positions of obturator E along the sides of the groove 14b (see FIGURE 5), these positions respectively corresponding tov opening (solid lines) and to closure (dotted lines) of said obturator.

The tension in the spring H can be adjusted by displacement of the nut I, obtainedby turning the screw K. This tension is so adjusted that it exerts, on the movable assembly, a preponderant force opposing that exerted by the fluid stream on the arm A for normal velocities of that fluid stream. Should this velocity of the fluid stream exceed a certain value, however, the force exerted by the being placed at a point in the arcuate groove 14]; interfluid stream on arm A would then become preponderant over the force of the spring, and the arm A would rock over into the position shown in dotted lines, thereby causing closure of the obturator, E and resultant closing of the dispensing valve 3.

It will be noted that this rocking takes place sharply, without flutter, this being due not only to the tumbler arrangement but also tothe specific arrangement adopted for the extension C and the obturator E. For, indeed, the gradual decrease in the force exerted by the fluid stream on the arm A during the angular motion of the latter iscompensated by the increase in the force exerted upon the extension C during that same angular motion. With regard to the obturator E, the latter is located so that it is'biased into its closed position by the fluid flow ing through the groove 14b in the direction of the arrow 1 (FIGURES). f p

After safety closing of the obturator -E' the latter, can

be reopened, by pushing button L inwardly, to condition the device for further safe-guarding operation.

In the normal rest position, the arm A and the obturator E are in the positions shown in solid lines, and the pilot valve 15 is closed. I i

The supplyline 1 conveys the fuel at high pressure, say at a pressure of the order of 140 to 210 lb./ sq. in. This pressure, which is transmitted via the conduit 10 to the chamber 8 above the piston 5, 'is therefore exerted both against the upper face of the latter and against the'lo-wer face of the main dispensing valve 3. Due to the difference in the areas involved (the ratio being about'2:1), the force exerted downwardly upon the piston 5 is preponderant, so that the valve 3 is pressed against its seat 3a all the more firmly as the feed pressure is greater. Thus the outlet duct 13 is shut off.

If now the pilot valve 15 be opened, thereby draining URES 1 and 4.

prevailing in the outlet duct le, which is. equal to the feed pressure'at 1 minus the pressure drop at 3-3a.

The fluid flowing through the outlet duct 13, towards the mouth 30, exerts, on the arm A, a force which is dependent upon the velocity of the'flow. As explained precedingly, the arm also sustains the opposing force exerted by the' spring H, the tension in which is so adjusted that said arm remains stationary as long as the'flow is at a velocity below a certain value which is slightly higher-than the normal flow velocity through the dispensing device.

In the event of a sudden increase in the flow velocity, say as the result of a ruptured flexible lead connected to the mouth 30, or for some other reason, the springs mentioned opposing force is overcome and the arm A tilts over into the position shown in" dotted lines in FIG- This tilting movement is transmitted, through shaft D, to the obturator E which then closes the pilot-conduit 14. This causes an increase in pressure in theservo-control chamber 8, in the same way as if the pilot valve 15 had been closed, in consequence whereof the dispensing valve 3 is thrust back onto its seat 3a and discontinues flow to the damaged conduit. v

After repairing the latter and ensuring that the pilot valve 15 is closed, the-safety device A-E is restored to its normal at-rest position by means of the rearming button L.

Obviously, the arm A could be replaced by any suitable flowmeter generating an adequate control signal as soon as the flow-exceeds a predetermined critical value. Similarly, the mechanical transmissionsystem including the shaft D could be replaced, for example, by an electrical transmission system, in which case the obturator B would 'be replaced by an electro-valve.

It is likewise obvious that the present invention is equally applicable to the distribution of fluids other than 7 fuel, examples being water or gas.

the chamber 8 via the pilot-conduit 14 (the obturator. E

being wide open as hereinbefore stated), the pressure in said chamber 8 is caused to drop. This drop in pressure is not immediately compensated by an input of liquid under pressure through the conduit 10, due to the resistance at constriction 11, so that the force exerted against the valve 3 by the fuel under pressure in the draw-off What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a safety system with a device for controlling fluid flow through a supply pipe, which device comprises a main dispensing valve, servo-control .means operable by pressure fluid for actuating said main dispensing valve, a pilot-conduitv interconnecting said supply pipe downstream of said main dispensing valve and said servo-control means, a pilot valve associated ,With said pilot-conduit, and a pilot valve control memdispensing valve, the-arrangement being such that the main dispensing. valve closes or opens upon closure or opening respectively of the pilot valve by corresponding action of the pilot valve control member; said safety system. comprising a flow velocity sensing member posi tioned within said supply pipe'and being movable in response to the dynamic pressure exerted thereon by the fluid flowing, in said pipe, andfrom a normal rest positionto an emergency safety position whenever the flow velocity in said pipe exceeds a predetermined value, an obturator under the control of said sensing member and positioned in the pilot conduit in series with said pilot valve, said: obturator being normally in an open position and movable to closed position upon displacement of said sensing member to said emergency safety position and thus causing said main-dispensing valve to close, said obturator being constructed so as to be releasably retained in its said main dispensing valve closing position,

and obturator control means distinct from said pilot valve control member, for resetting said obturator to normal ppm-position. s a '2.' The combination of claim 1, whereinthe'obturator comprises a pivotal flap whichis urgedtowards closed position by the action thereon of fluid flowing through the pilot conduit 3. The combination of claim .1,': wherein (the flow velocity sensing member comprises two substantially planar rigidly integral blade surfaces forming an obtuse angle and pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid in the supply pipe and adjacent the intersection of said surfaces, one of said blade surfaces, extending upstream of said axis, being substantially parallel to said flow direction when said sensing member is in its normal rest position, and the other of said blade surfaces, extending downstream of said axis, being then inclined with respect to said flow direction, whereby the former surface is substantially unaifected by the dynamic pressure of the flowing fluid whereas the latter surface is subjected to said dynamic pressure.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the flow velocity sensing member and the obturator are mounted for pivotal movement and wherein the combination includes connecting means positively interconnecting said sensing member and obturator, whereby angular displacement of said sensing member causes angular displacement of said obturator.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said connecting means comprises a shaft extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid in the supply pipe and fixedly carrying, in axially spaced relationship, the sensing member and the obturator.

6. The combination of claim 4, comprising biasing means associated with the sensing member and obturator and exerting thereon a moment opposing that of the dynamic pressure, said biasing means being adjusted so as to yield as soon as the flow velocity exceeds the predetermined value.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the biasing means comprise a spring-actuated tumbler system acting on the sensing member and obturator to maintain the latter in either of two extreme angular positions which correspond respectively to the normal rest position and the emergency safety position of said sensing member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,466,412 8/23 Samain 137-486 XR 1,568,410 1/26 Minter 251305 XR 2,935,079 5/60 Shelton 137-110 2,943,636 7/60 Reed 137460 X 2,948,290 8/60 Schnyder 137460 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,130,058 5/55 France.

ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner. M. CARY NELSON, Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A SAFETY SYSTEM WITH A DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW THROUGH A SUPPLY PIPE, WHICH DEVICE COMPRISES A MAIN DISPENSING VALVE, SERVO-CONTROL MEANS OPERABLE BY PRESSURE FLUID FOR ACTUATING SAID MAIN DISPENSING VALVE, A PILOT-CONDUIT INTERCONNECTING SAID SUPPLY PIPE DOWNSTREAM OF SAID MAIN DISPENSING VALVE AND SAID SERVO-CONTROL MEANS, A PILOT VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PILOT-CONDUIT, AND A PILOT VALVE CONROL MEMBER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PILOT VALVE, MEANS TO PROVIDE RESTRICTED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID SERVOCONTROL MEANS AND SAID SUPPLY PIPE UPSTREAM OF SAID MAIN DISPENSING VALVE, THE ARRANGEMENT BEING SUCH THAT THE MAIN DISPENSING VALVE CLOSES OR OPENS UPON CLOSURE OR OPENING RESPECTIVELY OF THE PILOT VALVE BY CORRESPONDING ACTION OF THE PILOT VALVE CONTROL MEMBER; SIAD SAFETY SYSTEM COMPRISING A FLOW VELOCITY SENSING MEMBER POSITIONED WITHIN SAID SUPPLY PIPE AND BEING MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO THE DYNAMIC PRESSURE EXERTED THEREON BY THE FLUID FLOWING IN SAID PIPE, AND FROM A NORMAL REST POSITION TO AN EMERGENCY SAFETY POSITION WHENEVER THE FLOW VELOCITY IN SAID PIPE EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED VALUE, AN OBTURATOR UNDER THE CONTROL OF SAID SENSING MEMBER AND POSITIONED IN THE PILOT CONDUIT IN SERIES WITH SAID PILOT VALVE, SAID OBTURATOR BEING NORMALLY IN AN OPEN POSITION AND MOVABLE TO CLOSED POSITION UPON DISPLACEMENT OF SAID SENSING MEMBER TO SAID EMERGENCY SAFETY POSITION AND THUS CAUSING SAID MAIN DISPENSING VALVE TO CLOSE, SAID OBTURATOR BEING CONSTRUCTED SO AS TO BE RELEASABLY RETAINED IN ITS SAID MAIN DISPENSING VALVE CLOSING POSITION, AND OBTURATOR CONTROL MEANS DISTINCT FROM SAID PILOT VALVE CONTROL MEMBER, FOR RESETTING SAID OBTURATOR TO NORMAL OPEN POSITION. 